Youth Justice

The Department of Human Services is responsible for the statutory supervision of young people in the criminal justice system. The department provides programs and resources to assist these young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to manage their lives effectively without further offending. Through supervision, offending related programs and linkages to appropriate support services, the department promotes opportunities for rehabilitation and contributes to the reduction of crime in the community.

Objectives

The youth justice service objectives are to:

where appropriate support diversion of young people charged with an offence from the criminal justice system

minimise the likelihood of reoffending and further progression into the criminal justice system through supervision that challenges offending behaviours and related attitudes and promotes pro-social behaviours

work with other services to strengthen community-based options for young people enabling an integrated approach to the provision of support that extends beyond the court order

engender public support and confidence in the youth justice service.

Youth Justice intervention

Youth Justice in Victoria is guided by policy to divert young people from entering or progressing further into the criminal justice system, to provide better rehabilitation of high risk offenders, and to deliver pre-release, transition and post-release support programs to reduce their risk of re-offending.

The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.